Here's a question from the July/August 2000 issue of RodMaker magazine:
"I am fairly new at rodmaking, but I have had several orders coming in
lately and I absolutely love it! However, I keep hearing that you can not
use Flex Coat finish when the humidity is above 50% and I have 3 rods that
need to be coated. I visited a friend who has been building rods for over
30 years and he showed me the problem when coating under high humidity.
There seems to be a while film within the coating that can't be removed. I called
the Flex Coat company and they told me that this is absolutely not true but
that you simply have to fill in the small triangle hollow areas by the guide feet
to keep out moisture and this should solve the problem. I don't know whether
or not to coat these rods right now as the humidity in upstate New York is
pretty high right now and I sure don't want to rebuild these rods! I have read
some of your answers in the rodmaking bulletin board and you certainly strike
me as being one of the most knowledgable people in this field. Perhaps you
can help me. Thanks so much for your time." Monica Accee
"The idea that high humidity will somehow undermine the cure or the
appearance of epoxy rod finish is widespread but unfounded. The
folks at Flex Coat are giving you the straight scoop when they say that
humidity will not change or harm the set-up and cure of your finish.
They are also wise to advise you the importance of filling the tunnels
formed between the wraps and the guide feet with epoxy finish. Any
water that gets in here while the rod is in use can discolor and even
shorten the lifespan of the wraps. Sometimes after this moisture
dissipates any discoloration will go away and things will appear as
normal, at least until the next use of the rod when the situation repeats
itself.
Another source of this white haze you mention is often due to the
overuse of certain types of color preserver. Any of the acrylic color
preservers that appear white in the bottle will also appear white on the
wraps if you apply too much. Pay close attenton to the thinning and
coating instructions the manufactures offer on these products. Many
rod builders run into trouble when they decide that contrary thinning
and application methods are somehow better than what the manufacturer
of the product suggests.
While I wouldn't recommend applying finish outside during a rainstorm,
I will say that you have no reason to fear high humidity when applying
epoxy rod finish.
Still can believe it? I performed a test to ease your mind somewhat. I
measured and mixed some Flex Coat in the normal manner and then
poured it into a glass of water. The next day I poured the water out
and was left with a perfectly cured, and clear, flat of epoxy finish."
~ Tom Kirkman
Publishers note:
If you have any tips or techniques, send them along! Help out your
fellow rodmakers!
~ Publisher, FAOL
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